The Daniel Gorenstein Memorial Award Goes to Denis Paré

March 6, 2025

Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to share with you that Dr. Denis Paré, Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience, Rutgers–Newark, has been named the 2024–25 recipient of the University’s Daniel Gorenstein Memorial Award, one of Rutgers' most prestigious honors conferred on its faculty.  

A special award ceremony and lecture, “How Do Emotions Facilitate Memory?,” will be held on Thursday, May 1, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., in the Seminar Room of the Aidekman Research Center Building (Room 103) at 197 University Avenue in Newark. For more information on how to register for the ceremony and lecture, please click here.

The Daniel Gorenstein Memorial Award was established in 1993 by family, friends, and colleagues to commemorate Professor Gorenstein’s innovative mathematical research, his skillful and enthusiastic exposition of his field, and his wise and devoted service to Rutgers University. The award was first presented in 1994 and is given each year to a Rutgers faculty member noted for both outstanding scholarly achievement and exceptional service to the university. Dr. Paré will be the 31st recipient of this award, whose previous recipients are both impressive and disciplinarily diverse.

A pioneer in his field, Dr. Paré is a systems neuroscientist and neurophysiologist who studies the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in memory consolidation, the processing of emotional stimuli, and the generation of defensive behaviors. His research furthers our understanding of human anxiety disorders such as phobias and post-traumatic stress. In one of his most impactful discoveries, he identified a group of amygdala neurons, which regulate the impact of danger signals on the neurons that elaborate defensive behaviors. This finding ushered in a new era of clinical research for the treatment of PTSD. His contributions have been supported by continuous grant funding amounting to $20 million, and his scholarly output has been documented in more than 170 peer-reviewed journal articles, two books, and 12 book chapters, and received over 28,000 citations (GS h-index:83).

Professor Paré is equally committed to leading a vibrant Rutgers community. The Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN), which he co-directs, has elevated Rutgers’ global standing in neuroscience. CMBN’s mission is to advance understanding of the brain’s structure and function through excellence in neuroscience research and training. In his time as Interim Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences–Newark, Professor Paré led the school through the challenges of the pandemic, helped reimagine the Honors College, and relaunched the Department of Urban Education. He is recognized by his peers and colleagues as a dedicated mentor and consummate academic leader who strengthens the community around him.

Dr. Denis Paré wonderfully captures the multiple ideals of this singular recognition named in honor of a scholar who made deep and lasting contributions to Rutgers and the world.  

Please join President Holloway and me in congratulating Dr. Denis Paré.

Sincerely,

Prabhas V. Moghe, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Distinguished Professor